Connecting subscribers to a fiber optic network using a cable spool

ABSTRACT

An enclosure for connecting a subscriber to a fiber optic network includes a rotatable cable spool disposed within a main housing. A connectorized end of a subscriber cable is routed into the main housing and plugged into an adapter disposed within the enclosure. A cover of the enclosure is closed after the subscriber cable is plugged into the adapter. Prior to connecting the subscriber cable to the adapter, an optical cable can be paid out from the cable spool. One end of the optical cable rotates in unison with the cable spool while the other end is pulled from the enclosure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 15/470,311,filed Mar. 27, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,712,518, which is acontinuation of application Ser. No. 14/979,870, filed Dec. 28, 2015,now U.S. Pat. No. 9,606,319, which is a continuation of application Ser.No. 14/539,459, filed Nov. 12, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,261,666, whichis a continuation of application Ser. No. 14/132,691, filed Dec. 18,2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,891,931, which is a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 13/924,191, filed Jun. 21, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No.8,705,929, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 13/479,015,filed May 23, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,494,333, which is a continuationof application Ser. No. 13/032,337, filed Feb. 22, 2011, now U.S. Pat.No. 8,189,984, which is a continuation of application Ser. No.12/793,556, filed Jun. 3, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,894,701, which is acontinuation of application Ser. No. 12/182,705, filed Jul. 30, 2008,now U.S. Pat. No. 7,756,379, which application claims the benefit ofprovisional application Ser. Nos. 61/029,248, filed Feb. 15, 2008 and60/954,214, filed Aug. 6, 2007, which applications are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to fiber optic enclosure, and moreparticularly, to a fiber optic enclosure with cable payout.

BACKGROUND

As demand for telecommunications increases, fiber optic networks arebeing extended in more and more areas. In facilities such as multipledwelling units, apartments, condominiums, businesses, etc., fiber opticenclosures are used to provide a subscriber access point to the fiberoptic network. These fiber optic enclosures are connected to the fiberoptic network through subscriber cables connected to a network hub.However, the length of subscriber cable needed between the fiber opticenclosure and the network hub varies depending upon the location of thefiber optic enclosure with respect to the network hub. As a result,there is a need for a fiber optic enclosure that can effectively managevarying lengths of subscriber cable.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a fiber optic enclosureassembly for enclosing optical fiber connections. The fiber opticenclosure assembly includes a housing having an interior region and abearing mount disposed in the interior region of the housing. A cablespool is connectedly engaged with the bearing mount such that the cablespool selectively rotates within the housing. A termination module isdisposed on the cable spool so that the termination module rotates inunison with the cable spool.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of payingout a fiber optic cable from a fiber optic enclosure. The methodincludes rotating a cable spool, which has a subscriber cable coiledaround a spooling portion of the cable spool, about an axis of a housingof the fiber optic enclosure until a desired length of subscriber cableis paid out. The cable spool is disposed in an interior region of thefiber optic enclosure and a termination module is disposed on the cablespool.

A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the descriptionthat follows. These aspects can relate to individual features and tocombinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoinggeneral description and the following detailed description are exemplaryand explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad concepts uponwhich the embodiments disclosed herein are based.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a fiber optic network thatincludes a fiber optic enclosure having features that are examples ofinventive aspects in accordance with the principles of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the fiber optic enclosure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the fiber optic enclosure of FIG. 2 witha cover in an open position.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the fiber optic enclosure of FIG. 2 with thecover in the open position.

FIG. 5 is an exploded isometric view of the fiber optic enclosure ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fiber optic adapter suitable for usewithin the fiber optic enclosure of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the fiber optic adapter taken online 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a fiber opticenclosure.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the fiber optic enclosure of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the fiber optic enclosure of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the fiber optic enclosure of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of the fiber optic enclosure of FIG. 8,showing cables entering and exiting the enclosure.

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the fiber optic enclosure of FIG. 12without the cover.

FIG. 14 is a front view of the fiber optic enclosure of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is an exploded isometric view of the fiber optic enclosure ofFIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is an isometric view of the cable spool of the fiber opticenclosure of FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 is a further isometric view of the fiber optic enclosure of FIG.12, with the cover in the pivoted open position.

FIG. 18 is an exploded view of a shipping container in which is disposedthe fiber optic enclosure of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary aspects of thepresent disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughoutthe drawings to refer to the same or like structure.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a schematic representation of a fiber opticnetwork, generally designated 11, in a facility 13 (e.g. individualresidence, apartment, condominium, business, etc.) is shown. The fiberoptic network 11 includes a feeder cable 15 from a central office (notshown). The feeder cable 15 enters a feeder cable input location 17(e.g., a fiber distribution hub, a network interface device, etc.)having one or more optical splitters (e.g., 1-to-8 splitters, 1-to-16splitters, or 1-to-32 splitters) that generate a number of individualfibers. In the subject embodiment, and by way of example only, the fiberdistribution hub 17 is located on a lower level 19 of the facility 13.Each unit in the facility 13 includes a fiber optic enclosure, generallydesignated 21, with a subscriber cable 22 extending from each of thefiber optic enclosures 21 to the fiber distribution hub 17. Thesubscriber cable 22 extending between the fiber distribution hub 17 andthe fiber optic enclosure 21 typically includes multiple optical fibers.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, the fiber optic enclosure 21 will now bedescribed. The fiber optic enclosure 21 includes a housing, generallydesignated 23, having a cover 25.

The housing 23 includes a base 27, a first sidewall 29, and anoppositely disposed second sidewall 31. The first and second sidewalls29, 31 extend outwardly from the base 27 such that the base 27 and thefirst and second sidewalls 29, 31 cooperatively define an interiorregion 33. In the subject embodiment, the cover 25 is hingedly engagedwith a sidewall 35 that is connected to the base 27 and the first andsecond sidewalls 29, 31. It will be understood, however, that the scopeof the present disclosure is not limited to the cover 25 being hingedlyengaged the sidewall 35.

A cable spool, generally designated 37, is disposed in the interiorregion 33 of the fiber optic enclosure 21. The cable spool 37 includes aspooling portion 39, around which subscriber cable 22 is coiled (shownschematically in FIG. 1). The cable spool 37 further includes an axialend 41.

In the subject embodiment, the axial end 41 of the cable spool 37defines a termination area 43 (shown as a dashed line in FIG. 5).Disposed in the termination area 43 is a termination module, generallydesignated 45. The termination module 45 of the fiber optic enclosure 21serves as the dividing line between the incoming fibers and the outgoingfibers.

In the subject embodiment, the termination module 45 includes an adapterplate 47. The adapter plate 47 is an L-shaped bracket having a firstside 49 (shown in FIG. 4) and a second side 51. The first side 49defines a plurality of mounting holes 53 while the second side 51defines an adapter slot 55. It will be understood, however, that thescope of the present disclosure is not limited to the adapter plate 47being an L-shaped bracket. The first side 49 of the adapter plate 47 isrigidly mounted (i.e., non-rotatable) to the axial end 41 of the cablespool 37 through a plurality of fasteners 57 (e.g., bolts, screws,rivets, etc.) which are inserted through the mounting holes 53 in thefirst side 49 and in connected engagement with the axial end 41 of thecable spool 37.

The adapter slot 55 in the second side 51 of the adapter plate 47 isadapted to receive a plurality of adapters, generally designated 401. Inthe subject embodiment, the adapters 401 are SC-type adapters 401,although it will be understood that the scope of the present disclosureis not limited to the use of SC-type adapters 401. Similar SC-typeadapters 401 have been described in detail in commonly owned U.S. Pat.No. 5,317,663, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the SC-type adapter 401 includes a mainbody 403 with a pair of tabs 405, 407 located on the exterior of themain body 403. The tabs 405, 407 serve to support the adapter 401 in theadapter slot 55. The adapter 401 further includes a pair of retainingclips 409, 411, with one retaining clip 409, 411 associated with eachtab 405, 407. A front side 413 of the adapter 401 is inserted into theadapter slot 55. As the adapter 401 is inserted through the adapter slot55, the retaining clips 409, 411 compress against the main body 403. Theadapter 401 is inserted into the adapter slot 55 until the tabs 405, 407abut the adapter plate 47. With the tabs 405, 407 abutting the adapterplate 47, the retaining clips 409, 411 decompress on the opposite sideof the adapter plate 47, thereby retaining the adapter plate 47 betweenthe retaining clips 409, 411 and the tabs 405, 407.

In an alternate embodiment, the termination module includes a pluralityof sliding adapter modules. Similar sliding adapter modules have beendescribed in detail in commonly owned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,497,444;5,717,810, 6,591,051 and U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2007/0025675, thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-5, the axial end 41 of the cable spool 37further defines a slack storage area 59. The slack storage area 59includes a cable management spool 61 disposed on the axial end 41 of thecable spool 37. The cable management spool 61 is sized such that anouter radius of the cable management spool 61 is larger than the minimumbend radius of the optical fibers so as to avoid attenuation damage tothe optical fibers during storage.

The cable management spool 61 and the axial end 41 of the cable spool 37cooperatively define a cable passage 63 that extends axially through thecable management spool 61 and through the axial end 41 of the cablespool 37. The cable passage 63 allows connectorized ends of incomingoptical fibers to pass from the spooling portion 39 of the cable spool37 to the slack storage area 59. The connectorized ends of the incomingoptical fibers are then routed from the slack storage area 59 to thefront sides 413 of the adapters 401 in the termination area 43.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the fiber optic enclosure 21 further includes abearing mount, generally designated 71. In the subject embodiment, thebearing mount 71 is disposed on the base 27 of the housing 23. An outersurface 73 of the bearing mount 71 is adapted for a bearing 75 (shown ascross-hatching). In the subject embodiment, the bearing 75 is a needlebearing. However, it will be understood that the scope of the presentdisclosure is not limited to the bearing 75 being a needle bearing asthe bearing 75 could also include a bushing, low-friction coating, etc.

In one embodiment, the bearing 75 is engaged with an inner diameter of acentral hole of the cable spool 37. In another embodiment, a rotaryplain bearing is formed between the outer surface 73 of the bearingmount 71 and the inner diameter of the central hole of the cable spool37. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the bearing mount 71 issized to fit within an inner diameter of a central hole of the spoolingportion 39. The engagement of the bearing mount 71 and the spoolingportion 39 of the cable spool 37 allows the cable spool 37 to rotateabout the central axis 77 of the bearing mount 71.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 5, the subscriber cable 22, which includesmultiple optical fibers, is coiled around the spooling portion 39 of thecable spool 37. In order to protect the subscriber cable 22 fromattenuation resulting from the coiling of the subscriber cable 22 aroundthe spooling portion 39, the cable spool 37 has an outer circumferentialsurface having a radius that is greater than the minimum bend radius ofthe subscriber cable 22. The subscriber cable 22 includes a first endhaving connectorized ends, which are inserted through the cable passage63 and connectedly engaged with the first ends 413 of the adapters 401.A second end of the subscriber cable 22 is configured for connectivitywith the fiber distribution hub 17. However, as shown in FIG. 1, thelength of subscriber cable 22 needed between each of the fiber opticenclosures 21 in the facility 13 and the fiber distribution hub 17 willvary depending upon the location of each fiber optic enclosure 21 withrespect to the fiber distribution hub 17.

A method of installing and using the fiber optic enclosure 21 to accountfor the varying lengths of subscriber cable 22 needed between the fiberoptic enclosure 21 and the fiber distribution hub 17 will now bedescribed. The fiber optic enclosure 21 provides dual functionality byserving as a storage location for the subscriber cable 22 and byselectively paying out a desired length of the subscriber cable 22.

A first length of subscriber cable 22 is stored in the fiber opticenclosure 21 by coiling the length of subscriber cable 22 around thecable spool 37. The first length of subscriber cable 22 includes aninstallation length, which is sufficiently long to extend from themounting location of the enclosure 28 to the fiber distribution hub 17,and an excess length, which is the length of subscriber cable 22remaining on the cable spool 37 after the installation length has beenpaid out. In one embodiment, the first length is greater than or equalto about 100 feet. In another embodiment, the first length of subscribercable 22 is greater than or equal to about 200 feet. In anotherembodiment, the first length of subscriber cable 22 is greater than orequal to about 300 feet. In another embodiment, the first length ofsubscriber cable 22 is greater than or equal to about 400 feet. Inanother embodiment, the first length of subscriber cable 22 is greaterthan or equal to about 500 feet. In another embodiment, the first lengthof subscriber cable 22 is in the range of about 100 to about 2,000 feet.In another embodiment, the first length of subscriber cable 22 is in therange of about 100 to about 1,500 feet. In another embodiment, the firstlength of subscriber cable 22 is in the range of about 500 to about1,500 feet. In a preferred embodiment, the first length of subscribercable 22, which is coiled around the cable spool 89, is in the range of100 to 500 feet.

In one embodiment, a second length, or the excess length, of subscribercable 22 is stored around the cable spool 37 after the first length ofsubscriber cable 22 has been paid out. If the first length of subscribercable 22 is greater than the installation length of subscriber cable 22,the second length, or excess length, is stored around the cable spool37.

The second function of the fiber optic enclosure 21 involves theselective payout of the subscriber cable 22. With the cable spool 37mounted to the bearing mount 71, the first end of the subscriber cable22 in connected engagement with the front sides 413 of the adapters 401and the outgoing optical fibers disengaged from the back sides of theadapters 401, the subscriber cable 22 can be paid out through fiberports 79 disposed in the first and second sidewalls 29, 31. Thesubscriber cable 22 is paid out of the fiber optic enclosure 21 byselectively rotating the cable spool 37 with respect to the housing 23about the central axis 77 of the bearing mount 71. As the terminationmodule 45 is disposed on the axial end 41 of the cable spool 37, theselective rotation of the cable spool 37 with respect to the housing 23results in the selective rotation of the termination module 45. Sincethe termination module 45 rotates unitarily with or in unison with thecable spool 37, the second end of the subscriber cable 22 can be paidout without the first end of the subscriber cable 22 being pulled out ofthe termination module 45.

Once the desired length of subscriber cable 22 has been paid out, therotation of the cable spool 37 is ceased. At this point, the position ofthe cable spool 37 can be fixed such that it does not rotate relative tothe housing 23. In one embodiment, a pin is inserted through an openingin the axial end 41 of the cable spool 37 and through a correspondingopening in the base 27 of the housing 23 to fix the position of thecable spool 37 with respect to the housing 23. It will be understood,however, that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to theuse of a pin to fix the position of the cable spool 37 with respect tohousing 23.

An alternate method of selectively paying-out subscriber cable 22 fromthe fiber optic enclosure 21 will now be described. With the fiber opticenclosure 21 positioned near the fiber distribution hub 17, the secondend of the subscriber cable 22 is unwound from the cable spool 37. Inone embodiment, the second end is optically connected to the fiberdistribution hub 17. With the second end of the subscriber cable 22optically connected to the fiber distribution hub 17 and the first endof the subscriber cable 22 in connected engagement with the terminationmodule 45, the fiber optic enclosure 21 is transported away from thefiber distribution hub 17. In one embodiment, the fiber optic enclosure21 is carried away from the fiber distribution hub 17 by an installer.In another embodiment, the fiber optic enclosure 21 is transported awayfrom the fiber distribution hub 17 in a wheeled cart (e.g., dolly,4-wheeled cart, etc.). In a preferred embodiment, the fiber opticenclosure is disposed in a packaging enclosure (e.g., a box) duringtransport. As the fiber optic enclosure 21 is transported away from thefiber distribution hub 17, the subscriber cable 22 unwinds from thecable spool 37 causing the cable spool 37 to rotate within the interiorregion 33 of the housing 23, which is disposed in the packagingenclosure. When the fiber optic enclosure 21 has been transported to itsmounting location, the fiber optic enclosure 21 is removed from thepackaging enclosure, mounted to the mounting location. The cable spool37 can be fixed in position relative to the housing 23 to preventinadvertent rotation of the cable spool 37.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-18, an alternate embodiment of a fiber opticenclosure 121 is shown. The fiber optic enclosure 121 includes a housing123 and a hinged cover 125.

The housing 123 includes a base wall 120, a first sidewall 127 and anoppositely disposed second sidewall 128. The first and second sidewalls127, 128 extend outwardly from the base wall 120 such that the base wall120 and the first and second sidewalls 127, 128 cooperatively define aninterior region 130.

In the subject embodiment, the first sidewall 127 of the housing 123defines a first port 131 while the second sidewall 128 defines a secondport 132. The subscriber cable 122 enters/exits the fiber opticenclosure 121 at the first port 131 or at the second port 132. In thesubject embodiment, both of the first and second ports 131, 132 areprovided as knockout portions.

A cable spool 137 is positioned within the interior region 130 ofenclosure 121. In the subject embodiment, the cable spool 137 is adaptedfor rotation within the interior region 130 of the enclosure 121. In thesubject embodiment, the cable spool 137 includes a first axial end 136,an oppositely disposed second axial end 138 and a spool portion 139. Thespool portion 139 is disposed between the first and second axial ends136, 138 of the cable spool 137. The spool portion 139 is adapted toreceive a subscriber cable 122 coiled around or spooled on the spoolportion 139.

With the subscriber cable 122 spooled on the spool portion 139, thesubscriber cable 122 can be selectively paid out by rotating the cablespool 137. As the cable spool 137 is rotated, the subscriber cable 122is unwound from the spool portion 139 of the cable spool 137. After adesired length of subscriber cable 122 has been paid out, pin openings141 can be used with a pin to fix the position of cable spool 137relative to housing 123.

The subscriber cable 122 is shown with a connectorized end 144 (e.g.,MTP connector) for connecting to the fiber distribution hub 17 or otherequipment. An opposite end of the subscriber cable 122 passes through anopening 145 disposed in the first axial end 136 of the cable spool 137.After passing through the opening 145, the subscriber cable 122 isrouted to a fanout 147 disposed on the first axial end 136 of the cablespool 137 where the cable is broken out into individual fibers 124having connectorized ends 146 (e.g., SC connectors).

A cable management spool 161 is also disposed on the first axial end 136of the cable spool 137. The cable management spool 161 manages fibers124. In the subject embodiment, the cable management spool 161 includesa plurality of fingers 162 disposed on an end of the cable managementspool 161. The fingers 162 assist with cable retention.

The first axial end 136 of the cable spool 137 further includes an outerguide wall 163. In the subject embodiment, the outer guide wall 163 isdisposed at a portion of the peripheral edge of the first axial end 136adjacent to the cable management spool 161. In the subject embodiment,the outer guide wall 163 extends outwardly in a direction that isgenerally perpendicular to the first axial end 136.

The outer guide wall 163 includes with a cable finger 164 disposed at anend of the outer guide wall 163 that is opposite the end engaged withthe first axial end 136 of the cable spool 137. The cable finger 164assists with retention and protection of the fibers 124.

An adapter plate 149 is disposed on the first axial end 136 of the cablespool 137. In the subject embodiment, the adapter plate 149 includesseparate openings 151. Each of the separate openings 151 is adapted toreceive two adapters 401.

In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 16, the cable management spool 161,the outer guide wall 163 and the adapter plate 149 are integrally formedwith the first axial end 136 of the cable spool 137. In the subjectembodiment, the first axial end 136 of the cable spool 137 is formedfrom plastic. In another embodiment, the first and second axial ends136, 138, the spool portion 139, the adapter plate 149, the cablemanagement spool 161 and the outer guide wall 163 are integrally formedfrom a plastic material.

Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, the fiber optic enclosure 121 is shownconnected to a second subscriber cable 126. After the subscriber cable122 is paid out and cable spool 137 fixed in position relative to thehousing 123, individual connectorized ends of the second subscribercables 126 can be connected to the fibers 124 at adapters 401 of adapterplate 149. The second subscriber cables 126 exit the fiber opticenclosure 121 at a port 136 in a side 165 of the housing 123. In theillustrated embodiment, a slotted foam member 138 is disposed in theport 136. The slotted foam member 138 includes a plurality of slotsthrough which the second subscriber cables 126 can be inserted in orderto prevent or reduce the risk of ingress of environmental contamination(e.g., dust, water, etc.).

While the fiber optic enclosure 121 is shown mounted to a mountinglocation 183 (e.g., wall, pole, etc.) in FIGS. 1 and 17, it will beunderstood that the subscriber cable 122 can be paid out from the fiberoptic enclosure 121 while the fiber optic enclosure 121 is eithermounted to a mounting location 183 or removed from the mounting location183. As shown in FIG. 18, the subscriber cable 122 could be paid outwhile the fiber optic enclosure 121 is still packaged in a shippingcontainer 179 provided there is an opening 181 in the shipping container179 through which the subscriber cable 122 can be pulled. After thesubscriber cable 122 has been paid out, the fiber optic enclosure 121can be removed from the shipping container 179 and mounted to themounting location 183.

Various modifications and alterations of this disclosure will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scopeand spirit of this disclosure, and it should be understood that theinventive scope of this disclosure is not to be unduly limited to theillustrative embodiments set forth herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of connecting a subscriber to a fiberoptic network using a fiber optic enclosure, the fiber optic enclosureincluding a main housing, a cable spool disposed within an interior ofthe main housing, an adapter disposed within the interior of the mainhousing, and a cover that selectively provides and blocks access to theinterior of the main housing, the cable spool holding at least a portionof an optical cable that includes an optical fiber extending between afirst end and a second end, the first end being terminated at a firstoptical connector and the second end being terminated at a secondoptical connector, the method comprising: paying out a portion of theoptical cable from the cable spool by rotating the cable spool while thesecond optical connector rotates in concert with the cable spool;opening the cover to provide access to the interior of the main housing;routing a connectorized end of a subscriber cable into the interior ofthe main housing; plugging the connectorized end of the subscriber cableinto the adapter; and closing the cover to block access to the interiorof the main housing after the subscriber cable is plugged into theadapter, wherein the adapter, the second optical connector, and theconnectorized end of the subscriber cable remain disposed within theinterior of the main housing when the cover is closed.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the adapter rotates in concert with the cable spool. 3.The method of claim 1, further comprising mounting the main housing to asurface.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein paying out the portion of theoptical cable includes pulling on the optical cable at the first opticalconnector.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the second opticalconnector is plugged into the adapter before paying out the portion ofthe optical cable.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprisingoptically coupling the first optical connector to the fiber opticnetwork at a location remote from the fiber optic enclosure.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein optically coupling the first opticalconnector to the fiber optic network is performed before mounting themain housing to the surface.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein opticallycoupling the first optical connector to the fiber optic network isperformed after mounting the main housing to the surface.
 9. The methodof claim 1, wherein opening the cover comprises pivoting the coverrelative to the main housing.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein routingthe connectorized end of the subscriber cable into the interior of themain housing comprises routing the connectorized end through a cableport.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the main housing and the covercooperate to define the cable port.
 12. The method of claim 10, whereinthe cable port is environmentally sealed.
 13. The method of claim 12,wherein the cable port is sealed using a slitted sealing member.
 14. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the cable port is sealed using a slittedfoam member.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the optical fiber is oneof a plurality of optical fibers of the optical cable, and wherein arespective first end of each of the plurality of optical fibers isterminated at the first optical connector.
 16. The method of claim 15,wherein a respective second end of each of the plurality of opticalfibers is separately terminated at a respective second opticalconnector, each of the respective second optical connectors rotating inconcert with the cable spool when the optical cable is paid out from thecable spool.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the adapter is one of aplurality of adapters disposed within the interior of the main housing;and wherein each of the respective second optical connectors is pluggedinto one of the plurality of adapters.
 18. The method of claim 17,wherein connectorized ends of additional subscriber cables are routedinto the interior of the main housing and plugged into respective onesof the plurality of adapters when the cover is open.
 19. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the cable spool rotates about an axis of rotationoriented to intersect the cover when the cover blocks access to theinterior of the main housing.
 20. A method of connecting a subscriber toa fiber optic network using a fiber optic enclosure, the fiber opticalenclosure including a main housing and a cover, the main housing havingopposite rear and front sides, the cover being movable relative to themain housing between an open position and a closed position, the coverblocking access to an interior of the main housing through the frontside when in the closed position and allowing access to the interiorthrough the front side when in the open position, the method comprising:paying out an optical cable from a cable spool disposed within theinterior of the main housing, the optical cable extending between afirst end and a second end, the first end being routed away from theinterior of the main housing while the optical cable is being paid out,the second end rotating in unison with the cable spool within theinterior of the main housing while the optical cable is being paid out;routing an end of a subscriber cable into the interior of the mainhousing while the cover is in the open position; optically coupling theend of the subscriber cable to the second end of the optical cable at anoptical adapter disposed within the interior of the main housing whilethe cover is in the open position; and moving the cover to the closedposition to enclose the optical adapter, the end of the subscribercable, and the second end of the cable within the interior of the mainhousing.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein paying out the opticalcable includes pulling on the first end of the optical cable.
 22. Themethod of claim 20, wherein the optical cable includes a plurality ofoptical fibers, wherein the plurality of optical fibers areconnectorized at a multi-fiber connector at the first end of the opticalcable; and wherein the plurality of optical fibers are individuallyconnectorized at single-fiber connectors at the second end of theoptical cable.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the subscriber cableis one of a plurality of subscriber cables and the optical adapter isone of a plurality of optical adapters, and wherein the method furthercomprises: plugging each of the single-fiber connectors into respectiveones of the plurality of optical adapters within the interior of themain housing while the cover is in the open position; and pluggingconnectorized ends of the subscriber cables into respective ones of theplurality of optical adapters while the cover is in the open position;wherein moving the cover to the closed position encloses the pluralityof optical adapters, the single-fiber connectors, and the connectorizedends of the plurality of subscriber cables.
 24. The method of claim 20,further comprising mounting the rear side of the main housing to a wall.25. A method of connecting a subscriber to a fiber optic network using afiber optic enclosure, the fiber optical enclosure including a mainhousing and a cover, the main housing having opposite rear and frontsides, the cover being movable relative to the main housing between anopen position and a closed position, the cover blocking access to aninterior of the main housing through the front side when in the closedposition and allowing access to the interior through the front side whenin the open position, the method comprising: paying out an optical cablefrom a cable spool disposed within the interior of the main housing, theoptical cable extending between a first end and a second end, the firstend being routed away from the interior of the main housing while theoptical cable is being paid out, the second end rotating in unison withthe cable spool within the interior of the main housing while theoptical cable is being paid out; routing an end of a subscriber cableinto the interior of the main housing while the cover is in the openposition; optically coupling the end of the subscriber cable to thesecond end of the optical cable at an optical adapter disposed withinthe interior of the main housing while the cover is in the openposition; and moving the cover to the closed position to enclose theoptical adapter, the end of the subscriber cable, and the second end ofthe cable within the interior of the main housing; wherein the opticalcable includes a plurality of optical fibers, wherein the plurality ofoptical fibers are connectorized at a multi-fiber connector at the firstend of the optical cable; and wherein the plurality of optical fibersare individually connectorized at single-fiber connectors at the secondend of the optical cable; wherein the subscriber cable is one of aplurality of subscriber cables and the optical adapter is one of aplurality of optical adapters, and wherein the method further comprises:plugging each of the single-fiber connectors into respective ones of theplurality of optical adapters within the interior of the main housingwhile the cover is in the open position; and plugging connectorized endsof the subscriber cables into respective ones of the plurality ofoptical adapters while the cover is in the open position; wherein movingthe cover to the closed position encloses the plurality of opticaladapters, the single-fiber connectors, and the connectorized ends of theplurality of subscriber cables.